Haxhi Shala appears before court for the first time, an indictment read

The first performance of former commander Topi, Haxhi Shala, is being held in the trial hall of Kosovo's Specialised Chambers (DHSK) in The Hague.

Shala is reading to the indictment confirmed by the prosecutor.

In the confirmed indictment, Haxhi Shala is accused of intimidation and attempted gravely to prevent official persons from performing official duties, individually and through participation in the joint action of a group.

According to the Confirmed Act, between at least April 5th 2023 and April 12th 2023, Shala, in association with other individuals, among whom Sabit Januzi and Ismet Bahtiari were co-ordinated as a group before and after personal contacts of Januzi and Bahtyar with witness 1.

It also says that, with Mr. Shala, Mr. Januzi and Mr. The host each met with witness 1 in two separate cases to encourage him to withdraw testimony, or not to give evidence in official processes before Kosovo's Specialised Chambers, including through serious threat or promise of profit, Paparac reports.

According to Aktakuza, this behaviour shows that Shala was aiming to intimidate witness 1 and prevent official persons, including prosecutors and investigators from the Specialised Prosecutor's Office, in carrying out official duties.

The judge during the hearing announced that today's session is not trial and no evidence will be presented.

“The present session is not trial; there is no evidence presented. No guilt or guilt is discussed. Within 30 days the session will be called to plead guilty or to plead innocent. Today, the judge said.